Gathering garden party ideas sounds easy at first. After all, it’s one of the most popular party themes out there. But with so many different ideas out there, narrowing down your vision can quickly become overwhelming.
We’ve taken the guesswork out of your party planning with this ultimate guide to garden party ideas. Whether you’re planning a bridal shower, baby shower or birthday party, there’s something here for everyone.
A garden party is the perfect way to celebrate all things spring and summer. It’s a wonderful excuse to spend an afternoon outdoors, with family and friends gathered together.
Which is why we decided to pull together everything you need right here in one place. From invitations, to decorations, food, favors and more – you’re guaranteed to be inspired. Grab your party planner, and make note of your favorite garden party ideas to get started planning right away.
Catchphrases to Use
It’s always fun to include some fun words or phrases for a themed party. Use them as flower party names, on your invitations, on favors, or as giant lettering on backdrops. It’s a great way to personalize such a popular party theme. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Watch me grow
- Wild One (wildflowers)
- Flutter and twirl
- Sweet as a rose
- Butterflies and blooms
- Enchanted garden
- Secret garden
- Flower power
20+ Charming Garden Party ideas
Invitations
The best parties start with a great invitation - and these invitations are pure perfection.
Don't you just love how the word "baby" is nestled so sweetly among the soft watercolor flower of this baby shower invitation? It's the perfect choice for a sophisticated event.
For a slightly more casual vibe, this baby shower invitation with its cool greens and peach flowers is a perfect match.
When you don't have time for DIY printable invitations, it's great to know that there's an option for you that's both beautiful and high quality. This adorable first birthday invitation is made even sweeter with a fun play on wildflowers and is perfect for those sweet, yet rambunctious, toddlers.
I personally love bright colors for kids parties. And the colors for this invitation are just perfect. My favorite part is that you can customize the entire invitation and download it right away. (Yes, even the giant pink number in the background!)
Party Printables
You know that printables are my favorite way to decorate for a party. And these just couldn't be more adorable.
This bright printables package is just perfect for summer. And it's fully editable with Adobe Acrobat, which means you can use them for baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties...or even for a lemonade stand.
This party bundle has all the basics you need for a fantastic garden birthday party. Add in some of the decorations shown below, and you're set.
A welcome sign like this one is a simple but beautiful way to greet your guests. It's a great touch to any party, but especially sweet for a baby or bridal shower.
Decorations
Of course the most important thing about garden parties is to include plenty of greenery and flowers. Look for ways you can tie in garden elements, like floral wreaths and topiaries, into your decor as well as using flowers on tablescapes and arrangements around the home.
You can add large potted flowers to your tables as centerpieces, or if you have a cutting machine you can cut out paper flowers for backdrops and garlands.
Tissue paper flowers are so easy to make, and they make a big impact. Hang them from the ceiling or from your backdrops, make table runners with them, or add them to chandeliers and candlesticks for an unexpected touch.
See all my tips for making your own tissue paper pom pom flowers right here.
Tuck a silk rose garland around and between the platters on your buffet table for a beautiful garden touch that guests will love.
If you don't have a cutting machine at home, this set of giant paper flowers is just stunning. They're especially great as decor for a baby shower since they can be used to decorate the nursery afterward.
This faux wisteria garland would be gorgeous as a backdrop for your buffet table or photo booth. It would make even the simplest garden party seem elegant.
Garden Party Food and Recipes
The garden inspiration doesn't have to end with the decor and invitations. Here are some tasty treats that are the perfect addition to any garden party.
Small finger foods are easy and delicious. Some simple ideas are:
- finger sandwiches,
- deviled eggs,
- mini quiche, and
- spring rolls.
You can even serve vegetables or freshly made bread rolls in mini flower pots as a cute and creative twist. (Just make sure the pots are food safe, first.)
A garden party wouldn't be complete without apple roses. These gorgeous apple rosettes look impressive, but are so simple to make with the help of puff pastry.
Layers of no bake cheesecake filling with real strawberries and a graham cracker crust come together to create an easy and delicious dessert that everyone loves.
A pressed picnic sandwich is the perfect lunch for garden party. It's the perfect made ahead main course that looks impressive without being too fussy or complicated.
Add a bit of woodland inspiration with these adorable acorn brownie bites. They're so cute...and they would be completely unexpected.
Cranberry Brie Bites are pretty and easy to adapt for other seasons. For example, in spring and summer you can use peach, strawberry, or blueberry preserves in place of the cranberry sauce.
Garden Party Favors:
Of course, no party is complete without the perfect favors. You can't go wrong with classic favors like seed packets, garden markers, or flower pens, even mini potted flowers.
Here are a few more creative ideas:
These three dimensional flower favor boxes are so unique and versatile. Use them to hold a mini cupcake decorated to look like a flower, candies, or even small garden inspired trinkets.
The possibilities are truly endless with these boxes...and they're so easy to make!
These floral thank you bags are a beautiful way to hold a variety of party favors, such as scented candles, seed packets, and more.
Handmade Soaps with Dried Flowers are so pretty...and the personalized tags will definitely make any party guest feel special and welcomed.
Inspiring Garden Themed Parties
Looking for some actual flower-inspired and garden themed parties for ideas? These three parties are the perfect place to start for realistic inspiration for the at-home hostess.
With printable flower party favors, DIY giant paper rainbow roses, and an easy flower party activity, this party shows that you don't have to go overboard to have a great time.
Looking for adults only garden party ideas? This Mother's Day brunch is filled with tasty treats that are also perfect for bridal or baby showers
You’ll love this sweet garden 1st birthday party (with a blue and green color scheme that works for both boys and girls!) The simple garden party decorations and first birthday timeline are all too adorable to miss. This is truly the perfect summer birthday party for little kids and toddlers.
This party may look simple at first glance, but that stunning backdrop is definitely not simple. As someone who loves to craft, I can tell it was a labor of love...and totally worth it.
Garden parties are a fantastic way to celebrate with friends and family. I hope these ideas have given you plenty of inspiration for your next party. And if you’re looking for more garden party ideas, you can always check out my Pinterest board dedicated to garden themed baby showers.
Don’t forget to share these ideas with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest, and leave a comment to let me know which of these ideas was your favorite!
Sim @ Sim's Life says
The Mummy Hot Dogs looks amazing, don’t think I could stop at just eating one though! I cannot wait for the warmer weather to enjoy some garden parties, loving all the inspiration! Sim x #HappyNowLinkUp